#81, Susan Ryan’s Tip: ‘Linking in English Pronunciation’

English speakers use linking to join words toegether so that they flow together smoothly.  It often sounds like people are saying one long word since they are no stops between words.

Here are two of the most common types of linking-

Consonant to vowel linking

When words that end in a consonant sound are adjacent to words that begin with a vowel sound the consonant sound becomes part of the second word. Hold the consonant sound of the first word until you say the vowel sound of the second word in order to link these words together.

Here are some examples:

1.     likes it = likes-sit

2.     laughed at = laught-tat

3.     explain it = explain-nit

4.     wake up = wak-kup

Vowel to vowel linking

When words that end in a vowel sound are adjacent to words that begin with a vowel sound  English speakers add a slight /y/ or /w/ sound to link them together.

Here are some examples:

1. too + early = toowearly

2. who + is + it = whowizit

3. I + am = Iyam

4. do + it =dowit

Many non-native English speakers tend to stop between words and instead of linking or blending the sounds together. This creates speech that sounds very choppy.  If you can use linking when you are speaking English your accent will improve and people will understand you more easily!

Linking can make it difficult for non native English speakers to understand what native speakers are saying.  That is because linked words in a sentence do not sound the same as they do when they are said individually. If you can recognize linking when you are listening to native English speakers you will understand other people more easily.

Eva Easton has some nice lessons on linking on her American Pronunciation website

http://eleaston.com/pr/linking-pattern.html

Susan Ryan is an American English pronunciation teacher and accent reduction coach. She currently lives in South Florida. Read more articles by Susan at http://www.confidentvoice.com/blog/

Download ELTWeekly Issue#81 in PDF Version